Can Poinsettias Be Left Outside in the Cold
Poinsettia Care - December nine, 2009
Jeff Schalau, Associate Amanuensis, Agriculture & Natural Resources
University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai Canton
Today�s poinsettia cultivars come in a broad range of colors and a variety of blade shapes and sizes. Many gardeners may know that it is the bracts and not the flowers which display the seasonal colour of poinsettias. A blade is a modified or specialized leafage, particularly one associated with a reproductive structure such equally a flower or cone scale. Ongoing poinsettia research has besides produced cultivars that have stronger stems and meliorate keeping qualities. This column volition provide care tips that will extend the life of your poinsettias well beyond the holidays. Poinsettias thrive on brilliant, sunny natural daylight: at least six hours daily is recommended. Placement near a sunny window is ideal, but avoid locations where hot afternoon sun may polish straight on, and fade colorful bracts. To prolong the bright red of the bracts, temperatures ideally should not exceed 70�F during the twenty-four hour period, or autumn beneath 65�F at dark. Avoid placing poinsettias near drafts, fluctuating air currents, backlog heat and dry air from appliances, fireplaces or ventilating ducts. Poinsettias do best with a moist soil condition. Water the poinsettia thoroughly when the soil surface feels dry out to a light touch. Like other container plants, the all-time indication of a thorough watering is water begins to seep through the drain holes at the bottom of the pot. Cascade off whatsoever excess water, equally poinsettias left sitting in h2o may suffer from root rot. It is not necessary to fertilize your poinsettias during the holiday season. However, for those that want to grow their poinsettias beyond the holidays should employ a balanced, all-purpose household plant fertilizer after the holidays to promote new growth. Poinsettias are sensitive to cold temperatures and exterior placement during the winter months is not recommended at Arizona�s college elevations. Withal, an enclosed patio or entryway may be suitable if the night temperatures are balmy and the fragile bracts are well protected from wind and temperatures beneath 55�F. Leafage driblet will occur if poinsettias are exposed to temperatures below l�F. Exposure to frost will normally kill a poinsettia plant. Poinsettias tin can exist grown yr round for lush green leaf. In March or April, when the bracts historic period and plow to a muddy green, cutting the stems back to about eight inches in pinnacle. After you cut the constitute dorsum, it will probably look rather stark, with bare branches and bluntly cut woody stems. By the end of May, you should see new growth. Continue the plants near a sunny window. Effectually July fourth, cut branches back over again nigh half their length to encourage bushy plants. Yous may place your poinsettias outdoors in indirect lord's day when night temperatures are warmer. Proceed to water the plants regularly during the growing catamenia. Fertilize every 2 to iii weeks throughout the spring, summer and autumn months with a complete, indoor establish fertilizer. The poinsettia is a photoperiodic constitute, which means it begins to set buds and produce flowers as the winter nights go longer. The plants volition naturally blossom during Nov or Dec depending upon the flowering response time of the item cultivar. This tin can be catchy to exercise outside of a controlled greenhouse environment, because any devious artificial light could delay or halt the flowering of the plants. At present comes the tricky function: starting October 1, the plants must be kept in complete darkness for 14 continuous hours each night. This tin be washed by moving the plants to a dark room, or placing a large box over them. During this menses, the plants crave vi to 8 hours of bright sunlight and night temperatures between threescore and 70�F. This regimen must go on for approximately eight to 10 weeks in order for the plants to develop colorful bracts for the holiday season. If this seems like an practice for people with too much time on their easily, support the horticulture industry by purchasing some other poinsettia. The above data was excerpted from Ecke Ranch�s web site at www.ecke.com. The Ecke family was important in popularizing poinsettias for employ as holiday decorations and their growing operation continues to develop and supply poinsettia cuttings nationwide. The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension has publications and information on gardening and pest control. If you have other gardening questions, phone call the Master Gardener line in the Cottonwood office at 646-9113 ext. 14 or Electronic mail us at cottonwoodmg@yahoo.com and exist certain to include your address and telephone number. Notice past Lawn Gardener columns or submit column ideas at the Backyard Gardener web site: http://cals.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/byg/.
Source: https://cals.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/byg/archive/poinsettia2009.html
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